The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-26
RIVER IMPROVEMENT.
VIEWS NOT CONSIDERED WILD AND
IMPRACTICABLE
Why the interests OF the Great Missis-
slppi Valley Have Languished for
Congressional Nourishment-Rui
vote-Trading Policy.

the people OF lne country, ana particularly
those whose fortunes are cast in the great
Mississippi valley. Some Of the brightest
minds OF the nation are discussing the.
question in all its phases, and there is
necessarily wide diversity Of opinion as
TO the ways and methods whereby this can
best be accomplished. An APPEAL re-
porter yesterday met n gentleman, promi-
nent in politics and business interests in
this section, who has given the subject
profound and expert study. He is enthu-
siastic in the matter OF speedy and effective
attention from Congress to this vital issue,
and heartily in accord with the views OF
the APPEAL, fully set forth heretofore.
81 have seen recent publication" said
he, "to the effect that this is no time toex-
pertinent with the interests Of the Missis-
sippi river To me it appears that thepast
efforts 10 enact river aud harbor bills have
been but experiments in regard 30 the load
of creeks the interests of the Mississippi
river would outweigh in the estimation of
Congress and the President. The papers
making this publication further state that
YOU are talking very wildly. and advocnt-
ing measures which are utterly impractica-
BILE, and that such u test will prove n com
plctc failure Now, perhaps, II would be
well for them 10 remember that the pledge
was made by the Chicago convention 10
improve the Mississippi river for that was
the meaning OF the internal improve
mcnt plank in the platform, and, further,
that the late ox-prcsident, in q message
20 Congress, suggested the plan that the
ArPEAL advocates Not one President
alone was OF this opinion, but Grover
Cleveland, the man who does not seek 10
avoid meeting an issue, here in this city
expressed his opinion, in language not 20
be mistaken. in rcraNl 10 his future action,
and casting more light on the cause oi the
failure oi the last river and harbOr bill
than any previous uttcrancc, in these
words:
"'Thcrc flows past your city our nations
great river, which, believe. il universal
ly recognized as a proper object Of govern.
mental protection and improvement. 10
Memphis aud 10 every other city on IT,
banks the improvement Of this vast high
way OF commerce j. 30 essential that they
should be Interested in having this and
other proper work OF the same description
considered upon their merits and free
from schemes sometimes Questionable in
their character and often oXtmyamnt In
their demands.
"Now, this means that II the great river
and Ike subjects Of improvement were sub |
United 10 his judgment, hc would be In |
favor OF them, but when connected with |
schemes Of jobbcry anl for public plumber,
he would feel bound "a Oppose.
III the cry oi iohhcry and schemes ~
public plumber in relation TO the river and
larbor bill Is simply an expression oi igno-
ance upon the subject, why has IL not
lcon 50 shown ON the floor OF the House
~ itsiripnlN
THAT h question. In making mp the
liver and harhor bill Il Is supposed 10 be-
ubject to the closest scrutiny but on ac-
cunt OF the number ui items embraced, |
Ind the tact that each item hns tu bp
weighed with the vote that belongs a. Il.
many unworthy Items escape detection !
and many morc are Wiukud az. ANY mrm-
Der can, 10y motion. have survey or
examination ordered and rDt hs crrk be- |
lore the committee hy the report uf thp
'hicf Of engineers il the next session Of
'ongUs. And when tho river and harbnr ,
MI is considered by the House in commit.
&c Of the whole, n member can move an ,
inserting an appropriation for
my creek he desires tu add, 90 iu increase
he appropriation Tor amy already on the
bill. Tins was dome los % member FROM nm
adjoining state when hC moved jlir nppru.
pfiaiIOn for his river hc increased from
5000 90 .lN.N 800 and the amendment hp.
ing lost. voted against the river and harrison
bill This may not have been making that |
The price NJ his vote, hut it looks that Wnv.
j can Affirm that Wls thv rDusun many |
voted against the hIll in the lust Congress.
30 II Will ever hv ns long us luul prefer.
mcni b. The incentive 10 national improve.
mcni votes
SLOW could this vote trading policy Of
congr smcn be- dcicltcH'
without changing the rules. which arc
the capitalization oi q hunlpd Nclr- ui
experience, q bill % make un 1ppwpna.
lion ior Che Mississippi river could De- iu
trodurcd ou "a day srt apart hv tine rules of
the House iur ihc Introduction Oi bills and
resolutions, and unless motion was made
nt The time ~ iis iuirOluriiuntn refer IL tn
some other committee, aud that motion
Was agreed tn Dog majority of the mem.
bcn Of the HOUSE present aud voting. the
speaker would U.rr thr hill i0 the com.
mi'trp un rivers Hul harluu Tint com.
milrt would consider the hil and II n
majority regarded DC iayumhIy DO would. |
OF ~ pleasure, riuru it to the House
With such recommendations and amend. |
menis m 10 pleased. IL would taro its
place pu ihr calender anil could be called /
~ hy ihr committee Ou luy day ON which |
u hai precedence. ur % could b. called up /
ON amy day, uu motion ul a member Lv n |
Suspension ROT ily rules Ly % two.thirls |
vote. Then BE- would hr considered In /
committee ui ilu whole House. when any
member would have tine right 10 present |
any amendment De- pleased. provided ID
VS. nnunnc in thpmll. When the com.
mi'.cc NJ the whole House had considered
theh.lllnludupici0t elected surhum,ud. /
mcniH u ID pleased. 10 vouM RI.
hnd rpUr Che h.Il t1 the House with such
Recommendation as BE- fiw M. Whore. /
upon, q vote might d. taken. il s1 rrrbm.
mcnird. upon tho h.I. aud amendments
proposed hy thp committee li fls vL,i,
House anil n majority of the mrmber,
prscnt and voting uru lur the bil IA
would pass and br sent 10 thc Senate.
where d would be- subjected 10 a similar
procedure.
That b would require incl and ability q,
steer the bin through no one doubts. but
having once passed. q would have ,siab.
lshcd precedent iur its successor, tLtt
can never BE- brought about by a nm
passed hy trailing votes. The loiyos and
fshcs might be deferred, bat. when the
work was commenced. the approximations
would be- continuous. without r.rtri 4,
The fate u The river and haflur l.I. ami
not dependent on these small iplovs. Who
have as big votes as the big onoa.n
as
if rour LuREs are Destroyed
20 not expect that ur. pirfleA uDollsn
Medical Discovery will make new ones for
you II can do much. bat not imp0rsiblll.
ties, IT, however, you have not yet reached
the last stages u consumption, there i hone
,n2r YOU bul DO not delay, lesi you criss